TMZ Sports - Page 2

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko left the team to return home to Russia and grieve with his family ... after the NHL star's father was mauled to death by a bear.

The Penguins announced Thursday that Kuzmenko was taking a break after the death of his 62-year-old father, Alexander, in Russia. Earlier in the day, Kuzmenko reportedly showed up for practice with his teammates before flying to Moscow to mourn with his family.

According to Ren.tv. -- a Russian media outlet -- Alexander was on a fishing trip Tuesday when he was mauled by a bear that came out of the woods in Siberia's Tuva Republic.

Floyd Mayweather's throwing in the towel in his massive lawsuit against several former business associates, notifying the court he's dropping the case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

But the boxing legend is leaving himself an opening to come back swinging.

According to court filings, which we obtained, the 50-0 fighter notified the New York Supreme Court that he was dropping the suit against Jona Rechnitz, Ayal Frist, Alexander Seligson, and Frist Apex Ventures.

It's "without prejudice," meaning Floyd could refile the case if he chooses.

Mayweather sued in May, claiming Rechnitz and co. drained him of insane amounts of cash ... including proceeds from real estate deals, $100 million in fancy jewelry, and even the sale of a private jet.

The damages were said to be "not less than" $175 million.

Shortly after the suit was filed, an attorney for the defendants blasted it as "utterly baseless."

So, why the sudden change in course for TBE?

It's unclear, but a source in Rechnitz's camp says the defendants were about to file their response, which they say contained receipts showing the claims were BS.

Brooke Hogan says her relationship with her father, Hulk Hogan, was never the same after it came out that he was banging her close friend ... though she says that doesn't make him a bad dad.

The late wrestler's eldest child spoke to Us Weekly about her famous father -- who died from a heart attack in 2025 ... focusing on his affair with Christiane Plante, a friend of Brooke's who helped her on her 2006 album "Undiscovered."

Hulk and his wife, Linda Claridge, were separated at the time of the affair ... though she filed for divorce shortly after news of their split broke.

Brooke Hogan's peeling back the layers on the issues in her famous fam ... and she's doing it in a new track that drops at midnight.

We've obtained an exclusive new clip from Brooke's song "Goes Around" ... in which she sings, "What goes around, comes around and goes back down."

The song is all about Brooke's issues with her father, Hulk Hogan, her mom, Linda, and the rest of her family ... though she makes it clear it's not about any one person -- just living as a Hogan generally.

Sharay Hayes -- a former male escort known by some clients as "The Punisher" -- is opening up more about his life and career ... after admitting during Diddy's federal trial that he was paid for freak-offs.

Check out the new YouTube collab between TMZ and the New York Post, "The Low Down," where we bring you stories that are gripping, outrageous, and sometimes scandalous.

Former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich married Mary Budenholzer ... the ex-wife of his former assistant coach, Mike Budenholzer.

Dak Prescott's ex-fiancée Sarah Jane Ramos is shutting down rumors that she's hiding a pregnancy ... and it looks like she's throwing some serious shade at the NFL star in the process.

Here's the deal ... Sarah responded to a social post speculating on whether or not she was pregnant based on some recent gym photos she was tagged in ... and she couldn't resist taking a shot that sure looks like it's aimed at Dak.

Sarah said she's getting thick and is eating better because she's the happiest she's been in a long time, explaining ... "That's usually what happens when you aren't getting cheated on repeatedly and finally leave a situation that makes you unhappy."

Tell us how you really feel!!!

Tim Tebow is facing a heavy blitz of criticism ... after a new bombshell report claims he raked in millions from a wealth seminar aimed at Christians that left several attendees burdened with heavy debt after getting a hard sell.

Christian wealth-building company Life Surge -- which reportedly pays Tebow $2 to $4 million to speak at their events -- is being accused of pressuring its attendees to splurge on investment programs that cost up to $50,000 ... according to Mother Jones.

While tickets cost $20 to $97 ... attendees are encouraged to take part in the pricey "SurgeU" programs ... where they are pitched on shelling out big bucks to learn how to build wealth through investments and real estate.

Former N.C. State sports medicine director Robert Murphy Jr. is behind bars in Florida after he was hit with 32 sex-related charges for alleged sexual touching during treatments.

Murphy, 54, was arrested Wednesday night in Florida just days after a grand jury indicted the former Wolfpack athletic official on 30-plus charges, including 9 felony "sexual contact under the guise of medical treatment" counts and 23 sexual battery counts.

He's being held in the Marion County Jail (FL).

LeBron James' longtime business partner and childhood friend, Maverick Carter, is in the middle of a nasty court battle with his ex, Crystal Streets ... TMZ has learned.

In court docs, Maverick asked the judge to reduce the $25K a month he currently pays in support to Crystal for their 18-year-old daughter. The businessman said their daughter is enrolled in a full-time boarding school, which he said he pays for in full.

Maverick, represented by disso queen Laura Wasser, claims his ex spends little "meaningful" custodial time with their kid because she's living at the boarding school.

NBA legend Gregg Popovich definitely knows ball, but does he know bro code? The former San Antonio Spurs head coach is remarried ... to his assistant coach's ex ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a marriage license obtained by TMZ Sports ... Popovich has tied the knot with Mary Barth Budenholzer, formerly known as Mrs. Mike Budenholzer ... who worked very closely with Coach Pop to win 5 NBA Championship rings for the Spurs.

The newlyweds exchanged wedding rings September 16 in Texas ... according to the marriage license filed in Bexar County, TX.

Lindsey Vonn's got a new man ... and these two snow bunnies are doing some serious summer lovin'!!!

The Olympian just hard launched her hot new arm candy, French skier Matthieu Bailet.

Lindsay posted some precious pics of her and Matthieu sharing a smooch, holding each other on the rocks and lounging in a hammock.

A California college wrestler is dead after he fell near Illilouette Falls at Yosemite National Park.

Santa Rosa Junior College Coach Fred Duerr confirmed that wrestler Ryan George died over the weekend ... according to multiple reports.

Duerr said ... "If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet. He had this way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome, and bringing out the best in everyone around him."

Woody Harrelson says he's 100% sure his dad and Matthew McConaughey's mom did the deed ... claiming he's got a "definitive confirmation."

The two actors appeared on Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast to promote their new show "Brothers" -- which premiered on AppleTV+ Wednesday.

If you don't know ... the show is inspired by an oft-repeated story the two men tell -- which basically involves Matthew's mom, Kay, saying she "knew" (wink-wink) Woody's dad, convicted assassin Charles Harrelson, back in the day.

1:35 PM PT -- TMZ Sports spoke with the alleged victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, along with his attorney, Richard Cooper, after news of the plea agreement earlier today.

Zul-Qarnain says that once he decided to forgive AB, prosecutors had no real choice but to cut a deal with the former standout wide receiver.

Antonio Brown's in his Godfather era ... the former NFL superstar is set to take a plea deal in his attempted murder case after prosecutors "made him an offer he couldn't refuse," according to AB's lawyer!

Brown will be in a Miami-Dade courthouse next week, where attorney Mark Eiglarsh says he'll take a deal that will dramatically reduce the second-degree attempted murder charge ... and will allow him to avoid prison altogether.

Instead, AB -- who was facing up to 3 decades behind bars (with a 20-year mandatory minimum) -- will get probation, according to Eiglarsh.

Former NFL superstar Chris Johnson was once one of the fastest men in football ... but ALS has now forced him to rely on an eye-controlled tablet to speak ... and he needs his family to help with nearly every daily task.

Chris opened up to People about his new life at home, where his wife, Brittany, has served as his primary caregiver for the past 17 months.

He told the outlet ... "ALS doesn't just affect the person diagnosed -- it affects the whole family."

The former Tennessee Titans running back requires breathing support from a CPAP machine and assistance with feeding, changing, and stretching from Brittany and other loved ones.